Australian Football

Recruited from North Melbourne juniors, Edwin Kennedy made his Essendon debut in the premiership year of 1901, but was forced to miss the Grand Final through injury. After 43 games in three seasons with the Same Old he crossed to Carlton, and it was there that he established himself as one of the foremost wingmen in the game.

During the Blues' halcyon phase of 1906-8, Kennedy joined with centreman Rod McGregor and fellow wingman George Bruce to form arguably the finest centreline combination seen in the VFL up to that point. The trio perfectly complemented each other, with McGregor "the architect and guiding light in the middle, Bruce the man with the lacerating pace and quick turning ability, and Kennedy the silky smooth 'quiet achiever' years before that term became an advertising slogan".¹

Kennedy's Carlton and league career ended abruptly when he quit the club, along with numerous teammates, during the acrimonious in-fighting that led to coach Jack Worrall's sacking in 1910.

 Ted Kennedy’s younger brother Jim also played briefly at Carlton.

Author - John Devaney